Cruise Details 2013
Cruise 1 Stone to Stone Via Fradley Junction. 8th April to 14th April 6 Nights,
22 Locks, 42 Miles,
We leave our friendly mooring in the canal town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey canal, which we follow through a series of isolated locks to Great Haywood, where we pass close to Shugborough Hall, the home of Earl of Lichfield, which now belongs to the National Trust. we continue through this lovely countryside near Cannock Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty at Fradley junction where we turn around here, and retrace our route back to Stone.
For More info Click on links: Stone :
Nearest railway stations, Stone and Stafford,
22 Locks, 42 Miles,
We leave our friendly mooring in the canal town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey canal, which we follow through a series of isolated locks to Great Haywood, where we pass close to Shugborough Hall, the home of Earl of Lichfield, which now belongs to the National Trust. we continue through this lovely countryside near Cannock Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty at Fradley junction where we turn around here, and retrace our route back to Stone.
For More info Click on links: Stone :
Nearest railway stations, Stone and Stafford,
Cruises 2 Stone to Warwick Via Hawksbury Junction. 14th April to 23rd April for 9 Nights
53 locks, 96 miles, 3 moveable bridges, 15 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel.
We leave our friendly mooring in the canal town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey canal, which we follow through a series of isolated locks to Great Haywood, where we pass close to Shugborough Hall, the home of Earl of Lichfield, which now belongs to the National Trust. we continue through this lovely countryside near Cannock Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty at Fradley junction we turn right onto the Coventry canal. Then we travel past Fazeley junction to the two locks at Glascote. Eleven locks at Atherstone complete our climb to the level of the Ashby canal. We pass the Ashby canal at Marston junction we continue on to Hawkesbury junction where the greyhound pub is, (home of the famous pies). turning right here, and our first lock but only a stop lock about a foot, Traveling on we will go under the M69 the canal runs through quiet farmland and passes a pretty Boat Inn Cottage before we reach All Oaks Wood. Soon we go through newbold Tunnel 250 yards, now we are on the outskirts of Rugby. Travelling a further four miles we arrive at Hillmorton Locks. now we are heading to Braunston which is regarded as the heart of the canal system, and the village on its hill is not to be missed. staying on the Oxford canal we turn right at Braunston Turn to Napton Junction. Where we leave the Oxford Canal and continue along the Grand Union. We descend through wide locks from now on starting with Calcutt, Stockton, Bascote, Fosse and Radford locks. The canal then passes through Royal Leamington Spa and onto Warwick where our journey ends at Saltisford Canal Centre.
For More info Click on links: Stone : Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle :
Nearest railway stations, Stone, Stafford, And Warwick
53 locks, 96 miles, 3 moveable bridges, 15 small aqueducts or underbridges and 1 tunnel.
We leave our friendly mooring in the canal town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey canal, which we follow through a series of isolated locks to Great Haywood, where we pass close to Shugborough Hall, the home of Earl of Lichfield, which now belongs to the National Trust. we continue through this lovely countryside near Cannock Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty at Fradley junction we turn right onto the Coventry canal. Then we travel past Fazeley junction to the two locks at Glascote. Eleven locks at Atherstone complete our climb to the level of the Ashby canal. We pass the Ashby canal at Marston junction we continue on to Hawkesbury junction where the greyhound pub is, (home of the famous pies). turning right here, and our first lock but only a stop lock about a foot, Traveling on we will go under the M69 the canal runs through quiet farmland and passes a pretty Boat Inn Cottage before we reach All Oaks Wood. Soon we go through newbold Tunnel 250 yards, now we are on the outskirts of Rugby. Travelling a further four miles we arrive at Hillmorton Locks. now we are heading to Braunston which is regarded as the heart of the canal system, and the village on its hill is not to be missed. staying on the Oxford canal we turn right at Braunston Turn to Napton Junction. Where we leave the Oxford Canal and continue along the Grand Union. We descend through wide locks from now on starting with Calcutt, Stockton, Bascote, Fosse and Radford locks. The canal then passes through Royal Leamington Spa and onto Warwick where our journey ends at Saltisford Canal Centre.
For More info Click on links: Stone : Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle :
Nearest railway stations, Stone, Stafford, And Warwick
Cruise 3 Warwick to Warwick Via Stratford 24th April to 2nd May for 8 Nights.
110 Locks, 41 Miles, 2 Tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
Upon leaving our helpful mooring in The Saltisford Arm Warwick we soon reach the foot of, ‘The Stairway to Heaven”, the Hatton flight of twenty-one locks. At the top of these is Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) leading to Kingswood Junction at Lapworth, where the Grand Union is linked by a short arm to the Stratford Canal. We take this link and join the Stratford by a re-opened channel between two cottages, one of which has a barrel roof, a feature of this canal. Another feature is the design of the bridges, which have a slot through the middle of them to take the horses rope, to save it having to be removed. Passing through Lowsonford and Preston Bagot, we arrive at Wootton Wawen and cross the A3400 on an iron aqueduct. At Edstone is another aqueduct which at 200 yards, is one of the longest in the country. The canal passes close to Mary Arden’s House at Wilmcote (She was Shakespeare’s mother). We now start the descent of sixteen lock to enter Bancroft Basin in Stratford, After staying a night we retrace or route back to Warwick.
For More info Click on links: Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle : Stratford upon Avon :
Nearest railway stations, Warwick, and Leamington Spa.
110 Locks, 41 Miles, 2 Tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
Upon leaving our helpful mooring in The Saltisford Arm Warwick we soon reach the foot of, ‘The Stairway to Heaven”, the Hatton flight of twenty-one locks. At the top of these is Shrewley Tunnel (433 yards) leading to Kingswood Junction at Lapworth, where the Grand Union is linked by a short arm to the Stratford Canal. We take this link and join the Stratford by a re-opened channel between two cottages, one of which has a barrel roof, a feature of this canal. Another feature is the design of the bridges, which have a slot through the middle of them to take the horses rope, to save it having to be removed. Passing through Lowsonford and Preston Bagot, we arrive at Wootton Wawen and cross the A3400 on an iron aqueduct. At Edstone is another aqueduct which at 200 yards, is one of the longest in the country. The canal passes close to Mary Arden’s House at Wilmcote (She was Shakespeare’s mother). We now start the descent of sixteen lock to enter Bancroft Basin in Stratford, After staying a night we retrace or route back to Warwick.
For More info Click on links: Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle : Stratford upon Avon :
Nearest railway stations, Warwick, and Leamington Spa.
Cruise 4 Warwick to Leighton Buzzard 3rd May to 10th May for 7 Nights.
52 Locks, 65 Miles, 2 Aqueducts, 2 Tunnels.
We leave Warwick on the Grand Union Canal. After passing through Royal Leamington Spa we climb Radford and Stockton locks to Napton Junction where we join the North Oxford Canal as far as Braunston Turn. Leaving the Oxford Canal to turn north we continue south on the Grand Union and climb Braunston locks and pass through the tunnel. Passing Norton Junction we descend Buckby locks. We pass through Weedon where George 111 built a barracks to retreat to in case of invasion, as it was the place furthest from the sea. Next we come to Gayton Junction where the Northampton Arm leaves to join the river Nene. Blisworth Tunnel heralds our arrival at Stoke Bruerne where there is a canal museum. We continue down the locks and pass through Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, Bletchly, Stoke Hammond, Leighton Buzzard.
For More info Click on links: Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle : Leighton Buzzard :
Nearest railway stations, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Leighton Buzzard.
52 Locks, 65 Miles, 2 Aqueducts, 2 Tunnels.
We leave Warwick on the Grand Union Canal. After passing through Royal Leamington Spa we climb Radford and Stockton locks to Napton Junction where we join the North Oxford Canal as far as Braunston Turn. Leaving the Oxford Canal to turn north we continue south on the Grand Union and climb Braunston locks and pass through the tunnel. Passing Norton Junction we descend Buckby locks. We pass through Weedon where George 111 built a barracks to retreat to in case of invasion, as it was the place furthest from the sea. Next we come to Gayton Junction where the Northampton Arm leaves to join the river Nene. Blisworth Tunnel heralds our arrival at Stoke Bruerne where there is a canal museum. We continue down the locks and pass through Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, Bletchly, Stoke Hammond, Leighton Buzzard.
For More info Click on links: Saltisford Canal Center : Warwick Castle : Leighton Buzzard :
Nearest railway stations, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Leighton Buzzard.
Cruise 5 Leighton Buzzard to Paddington 10th May to 17th May for 7 Nights.
63 Locks, 55 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges, 1 Aqueduct.
Leaving Leighton Buzzard we soon start cruising though open countryside descending 11 locks on our way we pass Aylesbury Arm and climb Marsworth locks as they sweep around the side of several reservoirs to Tring summit, a tree lined interlude that passes Bulbourne workshops where British Waterways still manufacture wooden replacement lock gates. Descending, We soon reach Birkhamsted with it castle ruins, then it is on to Hemel Hempstead and Rickmansworth after the delights of Cassiobury Park. The canal continues southwards to Uxbridge and it is quite amazing how rural a passage the canal takes as the journey is peaceful without the encroachment of the nearby townships. At Bulls Bridge we turn onto the Paddington Arm that takes us into the heart of the city and Little Venice.
Nearest railway stations, Leighton Buzzard, Paddington.
63 Locks, 55 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges, 1 Aqueduct.
Leaving Leighton Buzzard we soon start cruising though open countryside descending 11 locks on our way we pass Aylesbury Arm and climb Marsworth locks as they sweep around the side of several reservoirs to Tring summit, a tree lined interlude that passes Bulbourne workshops where British Waterways still manufacture wooden replacement lock gates. Descending, We soon reach Birkhamsted with it castle ruins, then it is on to Hemel Hempstead and Rickmansworth after the delights of Cassiobury Park. The canal continues southwards to Uxbridge and it is quite amazing how rural a passage the canal takes as the journey is peaceful without the encroachment of the nearby townships. At Bulls Bridge we turn onto the Paddington Arm that takes us into the heart of the city and Little Venice.
Nearest railway stations, Leighton Buzzard, Paddington.
Cruise 6 Paddington to Leighton Buzzard 18th May to 25th May for 7 Nights.
63 Locks, 55 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges, 1 Aqueduct.
Leaving Paddington Travelling Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm) towards Kensal Town , West Kilburn, after staying on the canal for another 11 1/2 miles before we reach the junction at Southall where we meet the Grand Union Canal turning right we continue passing Yiewsley, West Drayton. We have not seen many locks in the last few days soon pass the marina on our left G. U. C. Slough Arm.We can see Coweley lock here we start to climb towards Uxbridge after going under the A40 we arrive at Denham deep lock (11' 1") . The canal continues up the Colne Valley through landscape of mills lakes and woods soon after a few locks the canal climbs north though Cassiobury Park to Grove Mill then Kings Langley passing Hemel Hempstead, Look out for the towering Kodak Building. Soon we enter Birkhamstead passing though the middle of the town. Leaving the town we climb the Chilterns, At Cowroast we travel the summit level for five miles and descend severn locks to Marsworth Junction. Now just a short journey to Leighton Buzzard with eleven locks and eight miles and a small swing bridge, with some nice scenery on the way.
Nearest railway stations, , Paddington. Leighton Buzzard
63 Locks, 55 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges, 1 Aqueduct.
Leaving Paddington Travelling Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm) towards Kensal Town , West Kilburn, after staying on the canal for another 11 1/2 miles before we reach the junction at Southall where we meet the Grand Union Canal turning right we continue passing Yiewsley, West Drayton. We have not seen many locks in the last few days soon pass the marina on our left G. U. C. Slough Arm.We can see Coweley lock here we start to climb towards Uxbridge after going under the A40 we arrive at Denham deep lock (11' 1") . The canal continues up the Colne Valley through landscape of mills lakes and woods soon after a few locks the canal climbs north though Cassiobury Park to Grove Mill then Kings Langley passing Hemel Hempstead, Look out for the towering Kodak Building. Soon we enter Birkhamstead passing though the middle of the town. Leaving the town we climb the Chilterns, At Cowroast we travel the summit level for five miles and descend severn locks to Marsworth Junction. Now just a short journey to Leighton Buzzard with eleven locks and eight miles and a small swing bridge, with some nice scenery on the way.
Nearest railway stations, , Paddington. Leighton Buzzard
Cruise 7 Leighton Buzzard to Leamington Spa 25th May to 1st June For 7 Nights.
50 Locks, 63 miles, 2 tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
As we leave our mooring at Leighton Buzzard the canal enters the valley of the Ouzel and meanders sharply soon to arrive at the Soulbury flight of three locks and another at Stoke Hammond. Soon passing Fenny Stratford and Milton Keynes Heading on towards Old Wolverton and Cosgrove after 6 miles we arrive at Stoke Bruerne home of the BW Waterways Museum. Then it's onto Blisworth Tunnel which is the third longest waterway in Britain open to navigation. At Gayton junction we pass the GUC Northampton Arm which branches away to the north east, We continue North west entering a relatively empty stretch of agricultural land and open fields falling away to the north and steep hill to the south, As it approaches Bugbrooke and onto Weeden a quiet open stretch follows. The pace is short lived however as soon several transport routes merge to produce a strange picture of three totally different means of transport running parallel. The old roman road Watling Street /(A5) The canal keeping a straight course as possible and the London - Midland railway line and the 20th-C motorway complete this set of contrasts any way onto Norton Junction where the Leicester Line goes of to the north we continue west towards Braunston tunnel and Braunston with 6 locks then at Braunston Turn we go left under a large iron foot bridge after a few miles we arrive at Napton junction and swing a right here towards Calcutt locks of three, onto Stockton more locks ten in fact. Approximately 1 1/2 miles to a staircase lock and Bascote locks dropping down onto Welsh road and Wood locks then another two more at Fosse wharf before arriving at Radford bottom lock, Now it's a steady run into Leamington Spa.
Nearest railway stations, Leighton Buzzard, Leamington Spa.
50 Locks, 63 miles, 2 tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
As we leave our mooring at Leighton Buzzard the canal enters the valley of the Ouzel and meanders sharply soon to arrive at the Soulbury flight of three locks and another at Stoke Hammond. Soon passing Fenny Stratford and Milton Keynes Heading on towards Old Wolverton and Cosgrove after 6 miles we arrive at Stoke Bruerne home of the BW Waterways Museum. Then it's onto Blisworth Tunnel which is the third longest waterway in Britain open to navigation. At Gayton junction we pass the GUC Northampton Arm which branches away to the north east, We continue North west entering a relatively empty stretch of agricultural land and open fields falling away to the north and steep hill to the south, As it approaches Bugbrooke and onto Weeden a quiet open stretch follows. The pace is short lived however as soon several transport routes merge to produce a strange picture of three totally different means of transport running parallel. The old roman road Watling Street /(A5) The canal keeping a straight course as possible and the London - Midland railway line and the 20th-C motorway complete this set of contrasts any way onto Norton Junction where the Leicester Line goes of to the north we continue west towards Braunston tunnel and Braunston with 6 locks then at Braunston Turn we go left under a large iron foot bridge after a few miles we arrive at Napton junction and swing a right here towards Calcutt locks of three, onto Stockton more locks ten in fact. Approximately 1 1/2 miles to a staircase lock and Bascote locks dropping down onto Welsh road and Wood locks then another two more at Fosse wharf before arriving at Radford bottom lock, Now it's a steady run into Leamington Spa.
Nearest railway stations, Leighton Buzzard, Leamington Spa.
Cruise 8 Warwick to Oxford (Thrupp) 3rd June to 10th June for 7 Nights.
59 Lock, 56 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges.
We leave our mooring at Warwick soon passing the cape of good Hope Locks.Heading and passing through Royal Leamington Spa we travel onto Welsh Lane and Fosse Way locks, now we soon tackle the locks at stockton and then onto the locks at calcutt. we now have little run onto Napton Junction this is where we turn right onto the Oxford, we eventually clear the nine locks and pass Marston Doles , the canal meanders passing Fenny Compton, we soon desend a flight of locks claydon. We pass Cropredy village with its sleepy Churchyard, just after Banbury we go under the M40 passing even more quite locks you can see the church spire at King's Sutton. Aynho Weir we briefly cross the River cherwell. we reach Somerton, next after this we follow the valley for many miles, We continue on to our final stop at Thrupp.
Nearest railway station. Warwick, Leamington Spa, and Oxford.
59 Lock, 56 Miles, 2 Moveable Bridges.
We leave our mooring at Warwick soon passing the cape of good Hope Locks.Heading and passing through Royal Leamington Spa we travel onto Welsh Lane and Fosse Way locks, now we soon tackle the locks at stockton and then onto the locks at calcutt. we now have little run onto Napton Junction this is where we turn right onto the Oxford, we eventually clear the nine locks and pass Marston Doles , the canal meanders passing Fenny Compton, we soon desend a flight of locks claydon. We pass Cropredy village with its sleepy Churchyard, just after Banbury we go under the M40 passing even more quite locks you can see the church spire at King's Sutton. Aynho Weir we briefly cross the River cherwell. we reach Somerton, next after this we follow the valley for many miles, We continue on to our final stop at Thrupp.
Nearest railway station. Warwick, Leamington Spa, and Oxford.
Cruise 9 Oxford (Thrupp) to Newbury. 11th June to 18th June for 7 Nights.
40 Locks, 66 Miles,
Our journey down the Lower Thames begins with a meander through the City that calls this river the Isis and out past the expanse of Christchurch meadows, avoiding punts and row boats as we leave the spires behind. This section of the Thames is always interesting with many varied craft and unlike the canal, lockkeepers attend every one of the large locks. We cruise through the towns of Abingdon, Wallingford, Pangbourne and past Dorchester’s 7th century monastery. There are many wonderful lawns and gardens which stretch down from grand houses to the waters edge and pontoons with boathouses and row boats. The Thames passes through the Chiltern Hills and the Goring Gap before we turn off onto the Kennet navigation at Reading. We soon leave the urban areas of Reading after County lock, where we can take in the varied scenery of woodland and water meadows. There are plenty of locks and a good towpath on this stretch to Newbury so many opportunities for a gentle stroll before we reach our final destination.
Nearest Railway station Oxford, Newbury.
40 Locks, 66 Miles,
Our journey down the Lower Thames begins with a meander through the City that calls this river the Isis and out past the expanse of Christchurch meadows, avoiding punts and row boats as we leave the spires behind. This section of the Thames is always interesting with many varied craft and unlike the canal, lockkeepers attend every one of the large locks. We cruise through the towns of Abingdon, Wallingford, Pangbourne and past Dorchester’s 7th century monastery. There are many wonderful lawns and gardens which stretch down from grand houses to the waters edge and pontoons with boathouses and row boats. The Thames passes through the Chiltern Hills and the Goring Gap before we turn off onto the Kennet navigation at Reading. We soon leave the urban areas of Reading after County lock, where we can take in the varied scenery of woodland and water meadows. There are plenty of locks and a good towpath on this stretch to Newbury so many opportunities for a gentle stroll before we reach our final destination.
Nearest Railway station Oxford, Newbury.
Cruise 10 Newbury to Bath 19th June to 18th June for 7 Nights.
72 Locks, 56 Miles, 3 Tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
Leaving Newbury behind us, we move quickly into water meadows and woodland. Frequent locks bring us steadily up to higher ground over the course of a day, making this day a good day for walking. Traveling through the Vale of Pewsey the River Kennet is never far away and several of Southern England's most picturesque villages can be explored. Past wooded ridges and a hill fort we lock up Crofton locks past the historic beam pumping engine, built to pump water up to the canals summit level before entering Bruce tunnel. A long lock free section and a night moored in Devizes gives us time to rest before tackling the 29 locks of Devizes and the Caen Hill flight where we descend 230ft in just 2 miles. The largest flight on the system, it not only keeps the crew busy, but offers up some superb views over the surrounding area and down the flight itself. We travel past many attractive villages overlooking the canal before arriving at the architecturally rich, but compact town of Bradford-on-Avon. Following the course of the Avon across two aqueducts Bath city appears ahead and we eventually arrive in amongst the stunning Georgian architecture of this spa town.
Nearest train station Newbury, Bath.
72 Locks, 56 Miles, 3 Tunnels, 2 Aqueducts.
Leaving Newbury behind us, we move quickly into water meadows and woodland. Frequent locks bring us steadily up to higher ground over the course of a day, making this day a good day for walking. Traveling through the Vale of Pewsey the River Kennet is never far away and several of Southern England's most picturesque villages can be explored. Past wooded ridges and a hill fort we lock up Crofton locks past the historic beam pumping engine, built to pump water up to the canals summit level before entering Bruce tunnel. A long lock free section and a night moored in Devizes gives us time to rest before tackling the 29 locks of Devizes and the Caen Hill flight where we descend 230ft in just 2 miles. The largest flight on the system, it not only keeps the crew busy, but offers up some superb views over the surrounding area and down the flight itself. We travel past many attractive villages overlooking the canal before arriving at the architecturally rich, but compact town of Bradford-on-Avon. Following the course of the Avon across two aqueducts Bath city appears ahead and we eventually arrive in amongst the stunning Georgian architecture of this spa town.
Nearest train station Newbury, Bath.